Under the desert sun and amidst the famous Vegas buzz, HR professionals once again gathered at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at the 2024 HRTech Conference.
Sprawling across the expo hall were countless exhibitors and visitors alike chatting away, grabbing lunch, or searching for the next session to attend. On display was a diverse range of HR solutions by both early-stage companies and incumbents.
As I reflect on the discussions at the conference, one theme emerged that's impossible to ignore: the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the future of talent acquisition. Visier, the global leader in people analytics, and SmartRecruiters, a leader in enterprise talent acquisition and Cronofy partner, led one particularly interesting session. This session emphasized the role of AI and data in delivering the next generation of talent insights.
A major takeaway? Teams need to educate themselves on AI and automation by understanding what these tools can offer beyond the bells and whistles. But, importantly, they must also recognize that talent acquisition needs to remain human-centered, especially where human insight and interaction make the most significant impact.
We Can't Avoid AI, But We Can Be Responsible With It
AI is changing how we source and hire, but to do it right, teams need to know how to implement AI responsibly by gathering the right data and partnering with vendors who provide responsible AI solutions.
Regardless of the tooling, the speakers advised HR leaders to be mindful of how AI is used to deliver desired experiences by telling a compelling story with data, and to take action based on need.
The Role of Interview Scheduling in Shaping HR's Future
It may seem like a small piece of the talent acquisition puzzle, but interview scheduling significantly impacts important metrics like candidate experience, time-to-hire and overall recruiting efficiency. Adam Bird, CEO and Co-founder of Cronofy - a provider of embedded scheduling for high-performance hiring teams - shared some key findings from Cronofy's research surveying 12,000 candidates across six countries on the most significant frustrations candidates face.
One critical insight from the report is that candidates complained about their lack of control over the hiring process, highlighting a clear example of where AI and automation can make a meaningful difference. Adam Bird emphasized letting machines do what machines do best—automate repetitive tasks like interview scheduling efficiently, giving candidates the control they're asking for, and making their experience more seamless and engaging.
Human-Centric Hiring Still Matters
Despite the excitement around AI and automation, it's important to remember that recruitment should remain human at its core. Candidates, for example, still want a human-centered hiring experience, and in the words of Jonathan Rejholec - Principal Product Manager at BambooHR, HR professionals are inherently "people-people." As much as AI and automation can enhance efficiency, recruiters and talent acquisition teams still want to focus on building relationships, assessing culture fit, and ensuring candidates have a good experience regardless of the hiring process outcome.
So, What Does the Future of Talent Acquisition Look Like?
It's a world where AI and automation will continue to play an increasingly significant role. In this future, the winners have figured out the balancing act—leveraging technology where it makes the most sense while ensuring that human touch remains at the heart of recruitment.
Solutions like Cronofy, which empower candidates to take control of scheduling, demonstrate how even minor process improvements can make a real difference.
What steps will your team take to be on the right side of history, and how will you ensure that your recruitment processes reflect this balance?